Eastern Chaga and the Lake Chala, 449 
curious spot should have taken such a hold upon the 
superstitions of the natives. It is just the place one 
would fancy for the abode of fairies, nereids and 
dryads, mermaids and water-nymphs, where each and 
all, according to their respective habits, might enjoy 
themselves. A quieter, more private, more romantic 
spot they could not select ; here they might hold 
their revels and perform all their fantasies to their 
hearts' content ; all under the open canopy of heaven, 
and yet remain unexposed to vulgar gaze. 
We now resumed our march, taking our way round 
the base of Chala ; and in two hours and a half we 
reached the Lumi, on the banks of which, within 
" cool, green arcades of tall, o'er-arching sycamores,'' 
we encamped. 
The next morning, leaving Chala to our right, we 
pursued our way to Taveta, almost due south. The 
morning was very fine, and the atmosphere extremely 
clear, so that we were favoured, as we had not hitherto 
been, with a view of Kilima Njaro in its entirety. We 
were now at a distance which enabled us to take the 
mighty mass within the scope of vision. There it 
stood among a crowd of hills around its base, like a 
giant of Brobdignagian proportions among a swarm 
of Liliputians, lifting its snowy head to the very skies, 
with a strip of white cloud drifting across it far 
below its summit. The view was a very different one 
from that obtained at Moche. The dome-shape of 
Kibo had vanished, and far less of the snow lying 
upon its south face was to be seen, what was visible 
of it now being its eastern side. The top from this 
position, resembles the circular verge of a crater, the 
curve at the north side being most distinct and un- 
29 
